VIDEO: You're Going to Want to See This

I just stepped out of an historic meeting with the Florida SenateJudiciary Committee and wanted share the amazing news with our entireEquality Florida family.

Today, for the first time ever, a committee of the Florida Senate helda workshop on the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, a bill that wouldadd "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression" toFlorida's existing civil rights codes.

These laws ban discrimination in employment, housing and publicaccommodations. However, they currently only protect people based onrace, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, handicap or maritalstatus.

This is a breakthrough moment for a fully inclusive bill made possibleby you, Equality Florida's supporters, grassroots activist and allies.With over a decade of relationship-building in Tallahassee, EqualityFlorida is able to work with Republican and Democratic lawmakers alikeon advancing this and other pro-equality bills.

Special thanks to Sen. Dan Gelber (D) , Sen. Joe Negron (R) and Sen.Jeff Atwater (R) for making the workshop possible. I've also asked ourcommunicaiton staff to share the video with you. It was an excitingway to start the day.

-- Mallory

Equality FloridaPublic Policy Director

P.S. We had a great team representing our bill today. Our speakersincluded Kenneth Pratt Vice Chair of the Florida League of Cities;Eddie G. Labrador on behalf of the Broward County Board of CountyCommissioners; Jackie Watts - local business owner; attorney JeffPeters, and Daria Dawson of the ACLU of Florida.